Raising Good Humans — How to Parent When the News and World Feel Really Heavy

Podcast: Raising Good Humans
Host: Dr. Aliza Pressman
Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt solo episode, Dr. Aliza Pressman (developmental psychologist, parent educator, and mom) provides honest, compassionate guidance for parents grappling with how to raise children when the news and world events feel overwhelming, frightening, or unsteady. Rather than delving into politics or specific traumatic events, Aliza stays focused on science-based insights about stress, emotional regulation, and practical strategies for maintaining a nurturing family environment amid uncertainty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Naming the Moment: Why This Conversation Matters

• Chronic Stress & Parental Responsibility:
  Aliza opens by recognizing the widespread anxiety and uncertainty parents are feeling. She emphasizes that children notice our emotional states—both spoken and unspoken—and that effective parenting in these moments requires facing, not avoiding, the reality we're living in.

  • Quote:

    “We cannot address what we won’t acknowledge. And right now, a lot of us are living in a state of chronic low-grade stress.” (08:10)

• Who This Is For:
  The episode is geared toward parents not in acute crisis or immediate threat, but who are shaken by “ambient” world stress. Those in immediate harm’s way need concrete support, not parenting tips.

2. The Science of Co-regulation: How Your State Shapes Theirs

• CO-Regulation & Emotional Transmission:
  Children’s nervous systems are deeply attuned to the adults around them, often “borrowing our emotional operating system.” Stress, even when parents don’t vocalize it, is picked up through tone, body language, and even breathing.

  • Quote:

    “Our children’s nervous systems are attuned to ours. If we’re dysregulated…our kids are picking up on that. It’s not because they're eavesdropping...their bodies are super connected to ours.” (14:00)

• Regulation as a Privilege & Responsibility:
  If you are not under threat, you have “the luxury” and duty to regulate your nervous system and model resilience, serving not just your children but, potentially, the broader community.

  • Quote:

    “If you’re sitting here listening to the podcast and thinking about how you’re raising your kids…take a breath. That’s where we can actually serve the world and serve our kids…” (19:30)

3. The Foundation: What Children Actually Need Right Now

• Felt Sense of Safety:
  Kids’ greatest need isn’t more information—it’s a “felt sense of safety.” Felt safety is about their nervous system, not just objective risk: do they feel the adults around them can handle life, no matter what?

  • Quote:

    “Our regulated presence is the single most powerful tool we have for helping our kids feel safe.” (31:45)

• Connection as a Protective Factor:
  Spending quality, undistracted time with children reassures them. Parental presence, not just words, reduces the negative impact of stress.

  • Quote:

    “Put down your phone and look at your kids and…reconnect with them. The younger they are, the more you have to do this.” (39:05)

4. What & How to Tell Kids About Difficult News

• Listen Before You Talk:
  Gauge what your child already knows—or thinks they know—from peers, school, or social media.

  • Quote:

    “Listen before you talk. Start by asking what your child already has heard…before you launch into an explanation, find out what you’re working with.” (52:40)

• Developmentally Appropriate Honesty:

  • Young children: Keep explanations simple and emphasize safety.
  • Older children: Add context, but focus on reassurance and agency.
  • Tweens & teens: Shift from being the explainer to being a thinking partner, inviting their opinions and validating complexity.

• Validate Feelings, Don’t Over-Inform:
  All feelings are welcome—fear, anger, indifference. Don’t overwhelm with detail, but don’t sugarcoat.

  • Quote:

    “Some kids are going to be scared, some are going to be angry, some are going to seem unbothered…all of these responses are okay.” (59:03)

• Look for the Helpers:
  Always point to people working to make things better.

  • Cites Fred Rogers: “Look for the helpers.” (1:03:30)

• Circle Back:
  Difficult events merit repeated, ongoing conversations, not “one-and-done” check-ins.

5. Managing News Consumption (for Parents and Kids)

• Set Boundaries:
  Decide how much you will check news and strictly observe news-free “safety zones” (like the dinner table or bedroom).

  • Quote:

    “Being informed is important. Being over-informed and under-resourced serves absolutely no one.” (1:13:10)

• Monitor Your Own Body:
  Notice when you feel dysregulated consuming news; take it as a cue to step away to prevent passing that stress on.

• Be Intentional in Front of Kids:
  Turn off background news; even casual exposure can be too much.

• Deliberately seek restorative content:
  It’s okay to balance heavy stories with sources of beauty or joy—memes, nature, art.

  • Quote:

    “Please (look at) stupid memes on puppies and beavers and otters…Because we’re humans. In the darkest of times, people going through the absolute worst, humanity still tries to find joy.” (1:16:45)

6. Raising Compassionate, Resilient Kids

• Model & State Your Values Explicitly:
  Values need to be taught directly and consistently.
• Broaden Children’s World, Encourage Perspective-Taking:
  Give kids chances to help and to witness or discuss positive actions by others.
• Address Bullying and Bystander Behavior:
  Parents must explicitly teach how to stand up for others and avoid silence.
• Self-Care is Not Selfish:
  Take care of your own physical and emotional needs—rest, social connection, nature, and professional support if needed.
  • Quote:

    “If your kids see a depleted, burnt out…parent running on fumes, you’re just not going to be able to do right by anyone.” (1:23:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 08:10 | Aliza Pressman | “We cannot address what we won’t acknowledge…” | | 14:00 | Aliza Pressman | “Our children’s nervous systems are attuned to ours…” | | 19:30 | Aliza Pressman | “Take a breath. That’s where we can actually serve the world and serve our kids…” | | 31:45 | Aliza Pressman | “Our regulated presence is the single most powerful tool we have for helping our kids feel safe.”| | 39:05 | Aliza Pressman | “Put down your phone and look at your kids and…reconnect with them. The younger they are, the more you have to do this.”| | 52:40 | Aliza Pressman | “Listen before you talk. Start by asking what your child already has heard…” | | 59:03 | Aliza Pressman | “All of these responses are okay. Our job is to create a space for them to feel what they feel…”| | 1:03:30 | Aliza Pressman | “Look for the helpers.” (referencing Fred Rogers) | | 1:13:10 | Aliza Pressman | “Being informed is important. Being over-informed and under-resourced serves absolutely no one.”| | 1:16:45 | Aliza Pressman | “Please do. (Look at puppies and beavers and otters) …humanity still tries to find joy.” | | 1:23:20 | Aliza Pressman | “If your kids see a depleted, burnt out…parent running on fumes, you’re just not going to be able to do right by anyone.”| | 1:28:00 | Aliza Pressman | “It’s okay to feel the weight of that. I hope you feel the weight of that, because otherwise you do need to wake up a little bit. But right now, your regulation and your presence and your values matter to your kids.” |

Timestamps for Core Segments

• Introduction & Scope: 00:01 – 11:30
• Naming the Stress & Science of Co-regulation: 11:31 – 21:00
• Explaining Regulation as Privilege & Responsibility: 21:01 – 31:30
• What Children Need: Safety & Connection: 31:31 – 41:30
• Developmentally Appropriate Conversations: 52:00 – 1:06:00
• Validating Feelings & Seeking Helpers: 1:06:01 – 1:13:30
• News Consumption Boundaries: 1:13:31 – 1:20:00
• Raising Compassionate Kids & Final Thoughts: 1:20:01 – End

Takeaways & Advice for Parents

• Acknowledge your (and your child’s) feelings.
• Regulate your own stress, not to check out, but so you're available for your kids and community.
• Prioritize felt safety and connection over providing more information.
• Match conversations to the child’s developmental level, and listen before you speak.
• Model values, compassion, and hope—even (and especially) in dark times.
• Be intentional about news consumption; you do not have an obligation to be constantly updated, but you do have one to be present.
• Self-care enables effective parenting — and making a difference starts at home.

Final Thought:
“It’s okay to feel the weight of the world…but right now, your regulation and your presence and your values matter to your kids. And we are raising those kids for another generation that can do better than this one.” (1:28:00)